By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
One option is to go without property casualty insurance. USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said that's not really an option at all for coverage on the district's buildings in Great Bend. District Administration continues to work through damage from the July 16 wind and hail storm that ripped through the city. Thexton said FEMA will be in town on Feb. 21 to evaluate the damage.
"We're actually going through the process of updating our paperwork, also discussing and verifying damages throughout the district," he said. "Currently, our number is at $2.1 million. That could go up depending on what more is found. The best thing about this process is, if nothing else, it gets all that information in one place so we have it ready and don't miss something, especially when it comes to insurance."
The damage will continue to impact the district as insurance premiums increase. USD 428 paid just under $467,000 for property casualty insurance last year, up from $286,000 the year before that. A total for next year's premiums will not be available until June.
"As inflation went up, the cost to replace your buildings went up, thus your insurance has gone up as well," said Thexton. "We were told at our meeting a month ago, they're expecting everybody to go up at least 10-15 percent. I'm figuring with our damage at $2.1 million, we're going to be over that. To what level, I don't know."
Thexton said many insurance companies have dropped school district coverage or priced districts out of coverage. Others have converted to a one-percent deductible on each item damaged. Thexton said USD 428's $25,000 deductible against any damage in the district is still the best option moving forward.